Square number

2017-06-22T07:35:51Z

115.178.236.223: /* Properties */

A '''square number''', sometimes also called a '''perfect square''', is the result of an [[integer]] [[multiplication|multiplied]] by itself. 1, 4, 9, 16 and 25 are the first five [[square (algebra)|square]] numbers.
In a formula, the square of a number ''n'' is denoted {{math|''n''2}} ([[exponentiation]]), usually pronounced as "''n'' squared". The name square number comes from the name of the shape; see [[#Properties|below]].

Square numbers are [[non-negative]]. Another way of saying that a (non-negative) number is a square number, is that its [[square root]] is again an integer. For example, {{sqrt|9}} = 3, so 9 is a square number.

== Examples ==
The squares {{OEIS|id=A000290}} smaller than 602 are:

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:02 =[[0]]
:12 = [[1]]
:22 = [[4]]
:32 = [[9]]
:42 = [[16]]
:52 = [[25]]
:62 = 36
:72 = 49
:82 = 64
:92 = 81
</div>

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:102 =[[100]]
:112 = 121
:122 = 144
:132 = 169
:142 = 196
:152 = 225
:162 = 256
:172 = 289
:182 = 324
:192 = 361
</div>

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:202 = 400
:212 = 441
:222 = 484
:232 = 529
:242 = 576
:252 = 625
:262 = 676
:272 = 729
:282 = 784
:292 = 841
</div>

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:302 = 900
:312 = 961
:322 = 1024
:332 = 1089
:342 = 1156
:352 = 1225
:362 = 1296
:372 = 1369
:382 = 1444
:392 = 1521
</div>

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:402 = 1600
:412 = 1681
:422 = 1764
:432 = 1849
:442 = 1936
:452 = 2025
:462 = 2116
:472 = 2209
:482 = 2304
:492 = 2401
</div>

<div style="float:left; padding: 1em;">
:502 = 2500
:512 = 2601
:522 = 2704
:532 = 2809
:542 = 2916
:552 = 3025
:562 = 3136
:572 = 3249
:582 = 3364
:592 = 3481
</div>
{{-}}
There are infinitely many square numbers, as there are infinitely many [[natural number]]s.

==Properties==
The number ''m'' is a square number if and only if one can compose a [[Square (geometry)|square]] of ''m'' equal (lesser) squares:
{| cellpadding="8"
|-
|''m'' = 12 = 1
|[[Image:Square number 1.png]]
|-
|''m'' = 22 = 4
|[[Image:Square number 4.png]]
|-
|''m'' = 32 = 9
|[[Image:Square number 9.png]]
|-
|''m'' = 42 = 16
|[[Image:Square number 16.png]]
|-
|''m'' = 52 = 25
|[[Image:Square number 25.png]]
|-
| colspan=2 style="font-size:83%" |'''Note:''' White gaps between squares serve only to improve visual perception. There must be no gaps between actual squares.
|}
A square with side length ''n'' has [[area]] {{math|''n''2}}.

The expression for the ''n''th square number is ''n''2. This is also equal to the sum of the first ''n'' [[odd number]]s as can be seen in the above pictures, where a square results from the previous one by adding an odd number of points (shown in magenta). The formula follows:
:<math>n^2 = \sum_{k=1}^n(2k-1).</math>
So for example, {{math|1=52 =[[25]]= 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9}}.

A square number can end only with digits 0, 1, 4, 6, 9, or 25 in [[base 10]], as follows:
#If the last digit of a number is 0, its square ends in an even number of 0s (so at least 00) and the [[Numerical digit|digits]] preceding the ending 0s must also form a square.
#If the last digit of a number is 1 or 9, its square ends in 1 and the number formed by its preceding digits must be divisible by four.
#If the last digit of a number is 2 or 8, its square ends in 4 and the preceding digit must be even.
#If the last digit of a number is 3 or 7, its square ends in 9 and the number formed by its preceding digits must be divisible by four.
#If the last digit of a number is 4 or 6, its square ends in 6 and the preceding digit must be '''odd'''.
#If the last digit of a number is 5, its square ends in 25 and the preceding digits must be 0, 2, 06, or 56.

A square number cannot be a [[perfect number]].

All fourth powers, sixth powers, eighth powers and so on are perfect squares.

==Special cases==
* If the number is of the form ''m''5 where ''m'' represents the preceding digits, its square is ''n''25 where {{math|1=''n'' = ''m'' × (''m'' + 1)}} and represents digits before 25. For example the square of 65 can be calculated by {{math|1=''n'' = 6 × (6 + 1) = 42}} which makes the square equal to 4225.
* If the number is of the form ''m''0 where ''m'' represents the preceding digits, its square is ''n''00 where {{math|1=''n'' = ''m''2}}. For example the square of 70 is 4900.
* If the number has two digits and is of the form 5''m'' where ''m'' represents the units digit, its square is ''AABB'' where {{math|1=''AA'' = 25 + ''m''}} and {{math|1=''BB'' = ''m''2}}. Example: To calculate the square of 57, 25 + 7 = 32 and 72 = 49, which means 572 = 3249.

==Odd and even square numbers==

Squares of even numbers are even (and in fact divisible by 4), since {{math|1=(2''n'')2 = 4''n''2}}.

Squares of odd numbers are odd, since {{math|1=(2''n'' + 1)2 = 4(''n''2 + ''n'') + 1}}.

It follows that square roots of even square numbers are even, and square roots of odd square numbers are odd.

As all even square numbers are divisible by 4, the even numbers of the form {{math|4''n'' + 2}} are not square numbers.

As all odd square numbers are of the form {{math|4''n'' + 1}}, the odd numbers of the form {{math|4''n'' + 3}} are not square numbers.

Squares of odd numbers are of the form {{math|8''n'' + 1}}, since {{math|1=(2''n'' + 1)2 = 4''n''(''n'' + 1) + 1}} and {{math|1=''n''(''n'' + 1)}} is an even number.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}
== References ==
*{{MathWorld|urlname=SquareNumber|title=Square Number}}

== Further reading ==
*[[J.H. Conway|Conway, J. H.]] and [[R.K. Guy|Guy, R. K.]] ''The Book of Numbers''. New York: Springer-Verlag, pp. 30–32, 1996. ISBN 0-387-97993-X

== Other websites ==
* [http://www.learntables.co.uk/square_numbers/ Learn Square Numbers]. Practice square numbers up to 144 with this children's multiplication game
* Dario Alpern, [http://www.alpertron.com.ar/FSQUARES.HTM Sum of squares]. A Java applet to decompose a natural number into a sum of up to four squares.
*[http://mathdl.maa.org/convergence/1/?pa=content&sa=viewDocument&nodeId=1296&bodyId=1433 Fibonacci and Square Numbers] at [http://mathdl.maa.org/convergence/1/ Convergence]
* [http://www.naturalnumbers.org/psquares.html The first 1,000,000 perfect squares] Includes a program for generating perfect squares up to 1015.

[[Category:Square numbers| ]]
[[Category:Number theory]]
[[Category:Integer sequences]]

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Square number